Ticks found in Gunning Cove could carry Lyme disease

It wasn’t a complete surprise, but the discovery of ticks in Shelburne County that could carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease still caught many in the area off guard.

The ticks, collected from the Gunning Cove area, have been identified as blacklegged ticks. They are now being tested by the National Microbiology Laboratory to determine if they carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Those tests are expected to be back next week.

"Until we receive the final test results we cannot say if any of the ticks in that area are carrying the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease or whether they have become permanently established," said Dr. Richard Gould, medical officer of health. "We want to make sure the public is aware that these type of ticks could be in the area so they can take precautions."

The province's passive surveillance program encourages people who find ticks to send them to the Museum of Natural History in Halifax or by dropping them off at a local Department of Natural Resources office.

This is the first time the department has seen a high number of these ticks from an area outside of the two known Nova Scotia locations in the Lunenburg area and Admiral Cove in Bedford.

Additional testing and surveillance will be done this summer in the Gunning Cove area.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by blacklegged ticks. However, an infected tick can only transmit Lyme disease once it has attached itself to the skin for about 24 hours. Lyme disease can be identified by a bull's-eye rash along with symptoms including fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches.

Later symptoms such as facial palsy, heart problems or chronic joint problems may also develop in people who are not treated. Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics.

There have been twelve confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the province since 2002.

The Department of Health Promotion and Protection is recommending that people take some precautions when walking in the fields and forests in the area around Gunning Cove.

These precautions include:

-- wear a light-coloured long-sleeved shirt and pants, light-coloured socks and enclosed shoes while outside

-- pull socks up over pant legs and tuck in shirts;

-- spray clothing with an insect repellant containing DEET;

--check clothing and exposed skin for ticks after being outside. Pets should be checked for ticks;

-- keep grass well cut.

There are many kinds of ticks found in Nova Scotia. Images of the blacklegged tick, instructions on removing ticks and general information on Lyme disease is available on the website at www.gov.ns.ca